Japan raised the volcano alert around Mount Hakone on Tuesday (June 30), restricting access to the area after an apparent small eruption occurred at the mountain popular with holiday-makers.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said it had confirmed volcanic ash was emitted from the area, which is known for its hot springs and which has been giving out unusual amounts of steam in recent months.

The alert level is on a scale of one to five. Raising the warning level on the mountain to three from two expands restrictions on access to a broader area.

Hakone is a resort area about 80 km (50 miles) southwest of Tokyo known for its hot springs and views of Mount Fuji. More than 21 million people visited in 2014, according to the Hakone town website.

Japan, one of the most seismically active areas on earth, has seen an upturn in earthquakes and small volcanic eruptions over the past several months.

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